Planoqhai



A. C. PRATT.

MACHINE FUR MAKING LINK MESH.

APPLCATION FILED APB. I6, |918.

Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

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INVENTUI? Y @abz ATTRNEYS A. C. PRATT.

MASI-HNE FOR MAKING LINK MESH.

Armenian mw APR. 16. Isla.

1 ,317,726. Patented Oct. 7,1919.

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ATTORNEYS,

'rnLl mman FLANOGRM'II 1:0.. WASHIMQTDN. n c.

A. C. PRATT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH.

Arme/mon FILED APR. 16. |918.

Figa.

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V il L 55 Ja 76 s I I y Jf :mi J9 4.9 I. .I I n "III/ll. la i d'3:WE/WUR xxam, BY

I1 www Arron/vers A. C. PRATT.

MACHINE Foa MAKING LINK MESH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I6. 19H1.

Patented Oct. 7,1919.

A i. 6 SHETS-SHEE 4.

83 "n`" f3 Ail?" 5 i' j 95 36 /ff l l r A67 A TTHWE Y A. C. PRATT'.

MACHINE FOB MAKING LINK MESH.

APrucAloN mso APR. la. ma.

Patented 0er. 7,1919.

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qk @Humana A. C. PRATT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH.

APPLICATION FILED APII. I6, |918.

Patented Oct. 7,1919.

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qk I flrtowms nm commun r-LANnmMrlll C0.. WASHINOTUN. DI c UNITED sTATEsPATENT OFFICE.

ALPHONSO COMSTOCK PRATT, OF NEW YOBKfN. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WHITING & DAVISCOMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH.

Application led April 16, 1918.

To all whom, t may concern:

.Be it known that I, ALPHoNso CoMsTocK Pim'r'r, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at the cit of New York, in J@he county of New York,tate of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMachines for Making Link Mesh; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

This invention relates to machines for making link mesh, especially meshof the type so commonly used in the manufacture of hand bags and purses;more particularly, the invention relates to machines of the typeillustrated and described in Letters Patent No. 948,615, granted tomeFebruary 8, 1910, preferably one embodying the improvements described inLetters Patent No. 1,028,904, and No. 1,144,721, granted to me June 11,1912, and June 29, 1915, respectively.

The present invention involves the provision of numerous improvements inthe construction and operation of machines of the type illustrated anddescribed in the patents heretofore granted to me whereby the machine ismade more reliable and eflicient in operation, whereby mesh of a muchfiner quality7 can be made on the machine, and whereby the machine isbrought to rest automatically in event of failure to make a link andlink it with the mesh being made.

One of the features of the invention involves the construction andoperation of the various tools employed in making a link and meshin `itwiththe fabric, including the mechanism for feeding the "wire forward,for cutting off a length of wire, for bending the wire to form a staple,for advancing the staple to link it with rings of the mesh, and forwithdrawing the anvil about which the staple is formed. All of theseoperati'n devices aie mounted upon a unit support w ich is preferablyarranged at an incline to the surface ofthe piece of mesh to which vthelinks arevbeing added, the angle beingf ref erably such that a rightangle is forme between the link-forming tools and the rings with whichthe links formed by the tools are meshed.

YAnother feature of the invention relates Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented oet. 7, 1919.

Serial No. 228,923.

to the means employed for ositioning the rings afterthey have been ormedso that they will lie in the proper angular relation, thus facilitatingthe addition `of further links. One expedient employed for this purposeis the provision of a cam having an inclined up er wall along which thelower edgesv of tie rings of one row travel as the piece of mesh ismoved to present new points thereon for the addition of links. As themesh 1s moved and the rings travel u this ineline, they are tilted untilthey finally fall into vthe positions of proper inclination. This cam isemployed in connection with the rings formed by one only of two sets oflink forming tools as the rings formed by the other of the two sets oflink-forming tools 'can be made to fall into their appropriate positionsby gravity. Another expedient employed for lnsurin the properpositioning of the rings as tliey are formed is the provision of a lightair blast directed downwardly u on the rings at the lower edge of apiece o mesh mounted in the machine for the addition of' rings at itslower edge. This air blast aids in positioning the rings which areallowed to drop by gravity and also it assists in maintaining the ringswhich are positively positioned in the relations to which they are movedby the cam so that displacement of rings sufficient to prevent them fromreceiving the legs of the staples for the new links which are added isof rare occurrence. y

Another feature of the present invention involves the revision of ayielding support against whic the end of the wire is fedin `feedingforward a length of wire for a link. By reason of the provision of thisyielding stop, when a piece of wire for a link is cut oil from the endof the continuous length of wire, there is littleorfno danger ofthesevered piece of wire dropping from the position it occupied prior tobeing cut off or mov'- ing in any way so as to preventvproper coactionof the link-forming devices with the piece of Wire. y

nother feature of the invention involves the provision of a holdingdevice forholding each ring momentarily after'it has been completed andwhile the ink-forming tools are withdrawn from the ring. Thisholdingdevice consists of a pointed instrument which is projected up into `thespace about which a ring is formed so that the staple n; closed to forma ring about the point oi the instrument. When the tools by which therin 'isormed'are withdrawn, any tendency o the ring to follow one of thetools in its retractilemovement is )recluded by the engagement of thering with the holding;l instrument. The instrument is loweredintermittently While the mesh 'is stepped around from one position toanother but as soon as the mesh comes to rest, the instrument is again.raised for coaction with.' the next ring. tohe formed.

'llhe invention. also involves the provlsion ofl anlautomatie sto-pdevice whereby the machine is` automatically brought to rest when itfails to insert a link at each of the several points on the meshpresented to the tools for the reception of links. This mechanism is ofgreat delicacy as it is adapted for useV in the manufacture of tine meshfrom wire of very small diameter. It consists of asuppert over whicheach link added to the mesh moves, and a feelei' which is .reciprocatedautomatically once for each link of the mesh toward and away from thissupport. When the feeler on its movement towardthe support engages alink,` its range of` ino-vement is limited and the operation of themechanism continues Without interruption, but in the absence of a lin-k,the range ofl movement of the feeler 1s greater andby reason of thisincreased movement, automatic mechanism. is brought into action whichbrings the machine torest. y

The-machineis also provided with numerous devices for eecting adjustmentof the range` of movement of varlous parts with great delicacy so thatthese movements may be medeto occur with great accuracy, thereby'adaptin the machine for use in the manufaeture @il atime grade of mesh@such as that-made fromgoldiwire of small diameter. All of fleseimprovements-Will be understood by reference to the followingdescription takenv in connection with theg accomlzamyiing;V drawingswhich show the embodiment? of tliel inventionl which is at presentpreferred.

In-the1=dmvvings,Figure 1 is a,- sectional elevatin of the machine; Fig.2- is a detail View of'. the driving Hleehdnismg' Eig.. is a plain' Viewoffene of the sets of link-formin@ devices; Fig; 4 ie a' verticalsection tlrrougl.l one: orfthe pairs ujf link-forming tools; 51 iealhorizontal section of the mechanism shown in Fig:- 4; Fig. 6 is avertical section on line 6 6 of Fig.3f; Flg. 7 is a sectional detailview on line 'iL-f7 of- Fig. {Yi-FigV aslectixpl detail view ofguiderfbr the wlrf; Figi:- 91s a detail View thmieehnisi for :te/natithe devi-ce fari holding the ri?? 1 im at dein-rl view el a; perdonthemechanism shown in Fig. 9; Fi 11 is an elevation of the mandrel Showingthe automatic throw-off mechanism; Fig. 12 is a detail view of a portionot' the mandrel and the mesh thereon; Fig. 18 is alcentralhorizontalsection of a portion of one of the link-forming tools; Fi 14 is asectional elevation showirlfliun alernative form of throw-oil'mechanism; and Fig. 15 is an elevation of the mandrel showiingl the.throw-oli' mechanism oflig. 14.

Referring to these drawings, 1 indicates a table on which is mounted astationary mamlrel 2,.:1 portion of which is provided with spirallyarranged grooves, as shown in Fis, l ande.

he number of these spiral grooves depends upon the number of pairs offormingtools employed. In the drawings, the machine illustrated isprovided with two sets ol' forming tools and the mandrel is thereforeprovided with one spiral groove upon its surface. The size of the grooveis governed by the size of the links from which the mesh is to be made.A` stationary ring' E is supported upon the table 1 by means` of posts 4and forms a bearing for a sleeve 5 which fits within the ring'. On theinterior surface of the sleeve 5 are a plurality of ridges landdepressions, as indicated at G in Fig. 4, extending in the directionofthe axis of the sleeve. The mesh made upon the machine is in the form ofa sleeve and it lies in the narrow space between the sleeve 5 and themandrel 2. The verticali ridges G upon the interior surface of` thesleeve 5 are adapted to project into the shallow depressions between thelines of ringe of the mesh so that when sleeve 5 is rotated, it willcause the sleeve of mesh to rotate with it; and as the spirally arrangedridges on the mandrel 2 project into the corresponding depressions onthe inner side of the mesh, when the sleeve of rin f mesh is rotated bythesleeve 5,l it willfolow the spiral'fly arranged grooves anddepressions upon the mandrelV 2. In other Words, asthe sleeve of ringmesh is roiimited-v about the stationary mand-rel 2,1it will be causedto move upward vertically by the threadsufpon the mandrel. In order to'make the rotational movement of the sleeve of meshf about the stationarymandrel more reliable, the mandrel is referably provided with a sleeve 7which 1s rotatable upon ball bearings, as is indicated in Fig.. V1'.This slee-ve lies directly above the spiral grooves upon the mandrel andits exterior surface is* provided withV vertical ridges and depressionswhich enactk Witlithe depressions and: rid es in the mesh. Ehe sleelve 7trnsy with t e mesh as the latter is tu'rnedbythe ring 5: and the meshis moved upwardly between the sleeve? and ring'. 5 by the liral grooveson the stations, marndrel.' endet thefsleve-w proi3 andociiy nut 43" bywhich great@ accu'- racy inthe movemento the-s1ido40 may be obtained andthe Vdengerof the parts working'ont of their adjusted'positions isguarded asgeinst.V f

Theinner endV ofthe'slde @is enlfar ed upward'ly as showoinf-Jgf.` e;and the we of this enrged poion ist provided with a dove-toil groove inwhich the cutterV 4:6 is reoeived. YVFigs; '6 om?. f? showthe bade ofthe entier 46 in its relation: to the'Wi-freand the othery parts ofmechanisme The slide-4) upon which the critter 456'is1mounted: has a;slotll out in it,- as shown' irrFig's. 6 andV 7, throughwhiohextendpltes 47 forming e ges-ide for the wire.-Y Thesepiates aresimilar in construction to those show-f1Y in Fig. 8l and they .ereseeuredffto the'endof the bloek'39. The sint inftie side @this ofsuEeie-n;V length toV permit theeide to move over the range requiredzforeutti thewire, while the: stationary plates 4 project through theslot in the| slide upto the point at whieh the=Wire is out. 'i

Opposite the end of the guideway through Wh'ieh'the wire is fed is a.yieiin stop, indimi-,ed in the drawings'at 4SY (fi'gs. 3, 6

. and 7). This'inay consist mereiy ofeshort iodfmeunted to more slightlyin the direc tion of itsrerrgth in: an opelflinV or guide'- waVVivrme'fin "the'end of the boek 39. A iig it Het spring'' is Seouroditothe biook 39 and pressesV ege-inst e pin on the rod 48. When the Wire is'fed th'ronghV theY gndeway bv theV feed rollers 86 and 3:1, its end isez1rried into engagement with theY `ielding abutment 48 amd fit maynieve t1? at' abutment back slightlyhgainst theitension olf s ring 4:9.V'When the Wire is@ out byl the kni e 46, the spring-pressed rodA 48causes a. siight pressure to be exerted upon the end of the length ofwire which hasv heen out o@ and this pressure is; suifieient toeliminate the danger of; the wire dropping or een moving sightlyY afteritfhas hoeiret oby the `knife endV before it is grippedihy' the portasVwhich bendY itto the form of e' simples Y 'Next to the @am 45o1theoperating shaft 13 is an eccentric 50 andi the strs YV51 on thiseocentrie is secured to oneroseL 'eed 52 Vadapted ltoil-ooiproeeftfe Yine Y df'e'vv ay Vformed in= afbook 'mounted on t 'ef tube 1%* 0n theoross-head 52 is efyoke'- 59"" lying! between flanges on a eyindrioailhousing 54, shown in Fi 3 anden en'enlargedisole in Fig. @ithin'fthisEhousingfis 'a die-:rod 55 secured ai iteend' to theend ofthe housing 54.A coiled spring 567erroiro1esthe portionefthederod 55 WithinV the housmg54;" one end of the sprn hears the end of the housing 54 am theotherffend beers upon one end of a phunger.VV This plunger consists ofsu V(l'limirioal Body 57 depted'tomeve within endoftheepenimg zn "At-'memd the;

body i5? iso. shore lengthwisesiot; asshown in Fig. 13, into whichapnff'onfthfehous ing' 54 projectsE to: insure: movement 'ofi zheWitrthe die-rod under ce1-bain con'- dieio'ns;VY Le "1" Theopeningfthro'ugh the tubular reembenrofhe* imager is ofsqueeorosshseotion thefgrwajrd portion off the dio-prod is similarly elnpei.trtsextreme endthe dierouhas` ai dieV V612"f'otrned therein, thisdiehavingthegform of a seirouir groove Whiohl is hm'i'zontzrlyYli'sposedfVV Eaoh yof the tvvrofperte` of? the tubularY member V5S VhasatV sprin 62 seelred Ethereto, these spring ngers normalyproeetiirgASlightly beyold the die; 6l ond;r on opposite'sides thereof. rEheextreme ends ofthe prongs 62 are'groovedto conci-,with the; Wire fromwhich `a linkje harmed; the prongs 62 being mede of spring'nietalfmayyield' when neces'- salry'by awaqjy frm eaoh other, but they normarilrrpressi inwardly lto the positions in which 'they ao shownin Fig. 5.

The inner-ends of; theplunger 58 :rndV dierod 55 are' adapted toreciprocate Within an opening formed'n the block 39 pareilei to theopening@ Vin'vsurhihh slideV 40 .reeiproatoe This'openizrg inshepe tothe orossseotional shape yofthe forimrd pori-fion of the plun r. On topof ehe bloek 39v is an aidjustwb e stop 63 "consistingfof a screwlocated inra threaded opening and provided with a; look'nut. This stop63 isin position to bie engaged by the stop 59 on the plmger 58. DretlyVunder the plunger, the block 39'is providedV WithY a, slbtgas shown inFig. 1, forthe receptionof thefeni of e lever 64 atdepftedV toooeot withthe stop no' on the piungersoi es tomoveithe pfunger beek. Thisliever64? ispivotedluponthe tae 11 andis roeidon itsfpivotby a slide-ind 65reoiproeatinglin 'a Vgiidenwafy in a: Block 65 onfthe tebl'fl, thesldebeing actuated by a ohm 66V onlfthe operotingA shaft 1B; Gn the endof the slide 65 is'fsj nut6i'l hyfwhioh` suitable fidustmentV maybefnede endthis nut is looked in any adjnsted pesiton by a lock lui- 67";i Y l The piece owire Vfed orwadby the Vfeeding devices above describedis projeotedebetween the die 611:41101.l m envi. This an- -vil'islformed uponthe upper Send of a lever 65 pivetelly'mounted upon theunderside of thsftzs mshown' m1 Fig. 1i.l The amil is nermnfly han VimAthe'migdlpgsitio by ai Spring-abtnated piling-efl (Figf' mei-'115er'3'1y i st iiffL tlie' table? 11,'asfl1oi e v E Y i Y treated against'the psre tofsprng 'Il' by a cam 72 on the operating shaft 13,"wl1icl1cam a'ctuates aplunger 73 sef into'gn' o en# ing in the table 11 `andeoact'gzwibl a crank 74 on a Slit 'Sheff r'nountedA inkeerings on theuncle? side of Vthe table 111'.; This short shaft is provided with r arm74 `which toilets"iWi pvot'ed' Eleve i69 'F A "The length o1 L re diel'andthe rl"y y iss' and the'prongs'lbo form a, stafile; then theamifrrawn downwaily "and" lie Staple 1s eerljied 'fori Ward by theV die nlthe prongs fto project theft-:ndsV of'f'tli staple thi'oiigh1Vri'gsqgtthe and of: the

mil i681;

mandrel. The Venllswf ltli l Stple are Athen carried into Venge@gemein,Wilz'li4 'linnen jdie ing arm 78, heblo'cl77fhg'g"g 'gijoloygn its upperface which reeeiyegfigpwi fuon the block 76; YThe" 010 "Teig 'di Crankbest in Fig. Y4. 'Thedie secured oithe 1roY so that it will preidesiredf pegni-eng; These swipe 'mie 2 @lined fof the jhgrizm `f of;2 ithe stati f'meunierP 'E mounted s'tionrily'npo the Ystamaiolmry mandrel.v The opelgeizive portion of this 03,311

is its upper" edge ulperedger'is in- 51o nobele SiepA step; cail'rying'the sleeve '1ste @mi ireclin una fuese f: nie um lower' risuona die 6land prongs elear of the ringswhch hasijgustrhee'l formed', the rockingmovement of the lever 64s is discontinued and from that pointrontheplunger need not partake of the backward movementiothedie-rod untilrelative *neetierheim 'eff .tbeedieerodf endpihugeriV has {eansed the69; amelie gerY L64 to 1 monete' ftheyleftn the; slot inthe member;Eroliithelt =ni'rltythecoaction of the-Vpmrwith thefen bti-re slot will;cause the dierod'andf Yplunger; to inlove back togetherto Ytheirinitialpositions. Fromgia', considerationof -12 'irreconnection WithaF:1, it will be notedI thatthe outer edgesof t e ringsfmade by the lowerset of formng'tools should Ymoredoyvnwardlygraftertheorig Yhes'eheetccom lated amd'lthe dies arettvithdl-rewiaiejordt Lultyy is'experiencedixreansngthesearingsto more to this position; 1 The outer edge of therin is lower 4than the inner edge'by reason o the ino1natioI-iY cof: thevtools Vand; whenY the ring` is releasedfby the tools, :its'euter edgealways dropssothat the ring assemes'the positionwhich it shouldassume-in the Vin ished mesh and-Which'it mustY assume in order that'furtherrings maybe added to the nfleslrE in coaction therewith by themachine. *iik-Ste the; rings '.niadeby the u p erk set offerrjhigitoelethe situeeun Y'is de er: ent in thetftheouter edgefef*leach ring is afloove the inner edgeV 'YTiel rin'gzis in the positionVindicated the dottedY lines desig- Hated- Aonlfrig; 12;' when itisreleased by the dies Itsinnerfedge should drop when the ringrisreleasdfsofthat the rinV `would assumethe positionindicated atf .f? Thisdoes Y not Wayspcour; however in fact to@V its proper position" beforeIit' c and ythis requires that the ringheiimoeg forming tools.4 i

forming tools, onterjeilge dropsalnf'e'l the ringassues a"ositiniappreximating that indicated *Y of this ring ,travels'uponithe1upperinclinedl edgeV of the carri gland is raised therebyluntil finally itheouterV Yed'gie 'of thel rin'gis* raised' so farthatfthering into' grthe position indiatied atigfwhicl lslthe'positinthe .ring Shield @Carrosserie esi sure propefoodctioxr of:l thelrya'xtrV of'Y forni;-l

for directing: e current of airdownwardly upon therings at the loweredge ofi the mesh ati-the pointswhere the rin sare formed. In Figs.V 1and 4., e nozzle 1s shown :|1792 supplied with air'- Vunderplightfpressure through-etape: 93. The nozledirects air dowrrveafdlyi upon thelower edgefoftlre-rueshfat thegpoint atE which site addedtorfthelmeshrby; thedower setoV forming tools. -Thus,"referring to Fig.4, the ring shown'et 94 isinY the position occupiedby a ring'rjustiaterit is released by the dies. Thefouter edge of Ythis ring 91 should dropyso that the ring would assume the position indicated in `dottedlinesgiand this desired-movement of the ring is insured by theair 'blastfrom the nozzle 92; In addition to vthis-'eiectupoli this/ring 94 Whiehis just addedl to thefnesh,A the air blast from thenozzle 92hva/erlabenecial effect with respect to=all of the rings atzthe loweredge of the mesh in that it aids in holding the piece eimesh inv properposition with respect to the mandrel and aids in positioningV theE'rings of the lowermost row whicli'are the ringsiequiring accurateVpositonin'gso that the 'legs of the staples formed by the tools;rf'illee` passed -throuigh them;

@Afsinilr nozzle v92 supplie f" Wifhair luiderY pressure throughva tube93 isfprovided in'connection-withjthe upper set of forming tools. Atthisl point', 'the' air lblast serves substantially the `sarne functionsas those aboveE rferredto,' more? articulary it aidsin'holdingfthefopter j oflthe rings made by theQupper seti ofi formingtools upon the inclinededge of,trheflmli` 91, so! thsttthe rings wfillbe positioned properly byr'thecam'.

f *he machineis provided 'Wiftlrmeans'for discontinuing its operationvirlieneierk there letsbeen a failure to Vniakea linl-and :mesh itfwitltheV fabric" ongthemeidrel at the approp'riateV penn.r For thsper osethe Stationary Vinterred hes :21;islippen;E amig. Hf) mount,edjhereon'5in sucha position that as tl'ie'me'shi rotated 'about the'l mandrel, itslower: 'edge' posses' over Vthis supportrffCoatjng with this i Supportis l ivoted f lever 98 1those ed 'isturned'towar 'fthe VV"support iiileferisrokd on its pivot,

towardE the sn'pportfQand back. Forthis purpose' Ythelowerend of thelever 96 is provided Witha slot Wlichjreceives a pin on a'rodQfT wh:sidapted to reciprocate Yin guidewaysnio Yted, 'onf thetable l-ofthemachine;Y Thejopposite end othe'rodf'? is turned 'upwardly' and 'berries"ej frailes 1 g Y j which rides on Vlthe; periph-ery ofV a'cair 93h11oper postningefi the Vpowershaft 10 of the machine; The rodQT'iSprovided Witlra. collar 99iand spring ljiscoiied on the'rodjfbetweentliis collar eeaiid ehecfthe blocks in which: thefrodieo9'sssuppoited.: Theuspring bhereorotns tolmldgthe roller on theendfof'rod JT-n Coatei wjh the @am 98 and tompvo the lever Ri dreaiaienVto earvy'its bont'eud tmmn'l i t'hfjlppexrt 95;: Ifthe waking mvemem oflever? 96 wem mmbshmlei'ad, that Jevetf vmulclrbo mved'in one dr'ectionby spring lagxd in he 'oppositeK drectsn by mmaQS te xzarry'thefbentend1 of the egr muyomdzonot-i with the support and'then away fronmthesuppont'. The :ewer 96 moves over this vmmg Whts movement is inim-Vobfltrkwted :by -a link of thermshfpassing over tesmpport 95. limi: ofthe mesh is in f poiton upon `the support; 95, Ythe vmum-rement ofvllelever 96 ai'l'eetedrby spring 100 is restiiobed. Y

Themd ofthe rod S'is in size ats-Shown 2J-7101 Eto .prsovicle amiinclined cam SlflY joningftho Ytwo parts of therod ogfgderentcross-Esection. 'Ihseaem samfaae 10214911 rolfl :97 coactsrwthgapivot/ed Alalh 9gS recpmaftad once for each operation ofV the formilgtools @and as it moves `tmfvrzufd tiro munt wis obgtmeted therebv. This.rookglg raggeof reci Yjmcgafcrion of the rod 9710 Vsuh4 when ours thelever F9645 lgciprocaiefl;

the .Shipping lmer 107; is

www

tbo'mhine tbmp ly amimglatfmogrproper,

terminal of the electro-magnet 121 and the otherterminal of the magnetis connected to the 'frame of themachine and is therefore each operationof theY machine, it being moved in one direction by the cam 98 operatingthrough rod 97 and lever 114 andY in thel ot er direction by its spring113. Normally, the movement of the rod 112 toward the support 95 isarrested b the contact of the end of the rod with a lin j ofthe meshwhichV is th'enlin' position uponthe,v support 951' When the movement ofthe netware; the support 95 is So arrested, the' c ontact'-123 isseparated from thecontact 122i However, in case of aj failure vof themachine to supply when the space at which the ring have been providedcomes over the support 95, the movement of the rod 112 toward thesupport is not arrested and it continues` until the contact 123 iscarried into engagement with the contact 122. This closes the circuit'of the electro-magnet 121 which attracts Vits armature `120, therebywithdrawing the'latch 119 Vfrom holding relation tothe detent 118.When'thi's occurs, the spring 117 moves rod 116, shipping lever orhandle 107, and clutch member 109,

' to unship the member 109 from clutching relation to the clutch member108 on the loose pulley 17. V

I claim:

1. The combination of a support for a pieceof link mesh fabricconsistingv of a plurality of parallel rows of iinici-meshing links anda plurality of parallel rows lof, links substantially transverse tosaid'rows, forming tools for formin links interineshing with those ofthe abrio; means for operating the tools, means for effecting a relativemovement of the fabric bodily and the tools to resent di'erent portionsofthe fabric to t e tools to receive links, and means fory directing anair blast upon Vthe links at the edge of thejpiece of fabric to'Ypositionthem for the reception of new links ;VV substantially asdescribed. f

2. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link mesh fabric,a pair of forming tools mounted on opposite sides of the piece offabric, means or moving the forming tools toward and away 'from' eachother to form links and mesh them with the links of the fabric, meansfor ellecting a relative movement betvveenthe fabric 'on the `suppontandthe forming tools,= and a nozzle through'which a blast'offair isdirected upon the links atthe edge of the piece 5' of mesh on thesupporting means to assist in positioning those links for the receptionof the new links; substantially as described. 3. The combination of amandrelhaving a spiral thread formed on the surface thereof;

the mandrel bengfadapted to support a cir-4 cularpieee `of link mesh,meansffor rotating the VV1 ceffof, mesh upon the mandrelv and th; ycausing it .tof move in the direction of itsairis :due to its coactionwith the spiral thread, forming tools, means for operating the 'formingLtools to make links and add them to the linksA at lthe loweredge ofthepieceV of mesh on the mandrehand means means for ldirecting a blastofair upon the links at the lower edge of the piece of mesh toassistijrdpositioning them; substantially dial'niajrldrel adziliifseclAto support a circular linkmeshand havinE la spiral thread thereon which"coacts with tie mesh, means for rotating the piece of mesh upon themandrel, forming tools, meansV for operating the tools to'form links andmesh them with the links at the lower edge of the piece of mesh on themandrel, and a stationary cam having an inclined upper wall which iscurved in conformity: with the curvature of the mandrel 'and' which islocated adjacent to the mandrel in position for coactionV with 'thelinks at theV lower edge of the piece of mesh on the mandrel so that asthe piece of mesh is moved the links ride upon the inclined wall of thecam and are ositioned thereby; substantially as described.

5. The combination of a stationary mandrel for supportting a circularpiece of mesh and having a spiral thread thereon, means for rotating theieee of mesh upon themanflrelitvvoY o formingitools mounted at differentpoints about the axis of the man- Vof a stationary cyl-"nr-v drel, meansfor operating the tools of the two' Sets for formin links and meshing'them with the links o the lower edge of the piece of fabric on themandrel, and a cam having an inclined upper wall mounted stationarilyupon the mandrel adjacent to one of the sets o forming tools in positionto have the links added to the piece of mesh by that set of formingtools ride upon the inclined wall of theV cam as the piece of fabrigisrotated upion the mandrel to position thelinks for conc# tion wifththeother set of forming tools; substantially as described. '1

' 6. The combination of a su port for a piece of link mesh fabric,forming tools for forming links meshing with those of the fabric, meansfor feeding a continuous length of wire to the forming tools, a yieldingstop against which the end of the wire is carriedrby the feeding means,a cutter for severing theend portion of the piereof wire',` said 'stopexerting pressure upon the end portion of the wire after it has been'severed to momentarily hold it against movement, means for operating theforming tools, and means for effecting relative movement of the fabricbodily and the tools to present each other to form Ilinks and meshthemwith the fabric on the mandrel, a feeder operated intermittently forfeeding a continuouslength of wire between the forming tools, a yieldingmember: positioned'by a spring and mounted opposite the feedingr meansVso that the end of the wire fed by the feeding means is carried intoengagement with the yielding member, Vand a cutter for severing the endportion'ofthe piece of wire,`theyielding member exerting Ypressure pllthe end PI'tion of thewire VafterV it has been severed to Vmomentarilyhold itagainst movement; Asulfistal'itially asv described. ,Y

8. The combination of Aa support for a piece of linkmesh fabric, a diemember mounted onfone side of the piece of fabric,`

a die rodzand a lunger mounted Vbn the other side ofthe. piecefof fabricin position to coact with the die, means for'movii the die rod andplunger forward towar the die together, VYand separate Ameans forwithdraivi'ngr the die rod and the plunger; substantiallyas described. Y

9. The combination of a. support'for .a piece of link mesh fabric,ia dieon one side of the fabric, Va die IOd'on the other sidenof the fabriccooperating therewith, an operating shaft connected tothe 'die and thedie rod for reciprocating them toward and awav from each other, aplunger associated wit the die rod, a spring Vbetween the die rod andthe plunger through which the forward movement of the die rod iscommunicated tothe plunger, and means independent of the operating meansof the die rod for retracting the plunger; substantially as described.

10. In machine for making link mesh, a link-forming tool including a dierod, a pair of prongs located on Vopposite sides of the die rod, anoperating shaft connected to the die rod for reciprocating it, a springthrough which the forward movement of thedle rod is Communicated to theprongs. and means independent of the movement of the die rod foreffecting the first portion of the return` movement of the prongs toinsure movement thereof. with the die rod; substantially as described.

11, In a mach'ne for making link mesh, a linkformingmechanism including`a die rod, a movable anvil opposite the end of the die rod, means Vforfeeding wire between igeivbe thedie'rodrand anvil, a member 'mountedadjacent tothe die rod but movable indo' 12. In a machine for makinglink mesh,

a link-forming mechanism including a die rod, a movable anvil oppositethe end of the die rod, means for feeding wire between the die rod andanvil, a member mounted adjacent to the die rod but movableindependently thereof and adapted to coact withrtheranvil to bend apiece of wire to the form Vof a staple, an operating shaft conA nectedto the die rod for reciprocating it, a spring connecting the die rod tosaid member for moving the member forward as the die rod moves forward,and means independent of the connection from the operating shaft to thedie rod for effecting the first portion of the return movement of saidmember `to insure movement thereof with the die rod; substantially asdescribed.

V13. The combination of a support 'for a piece of link mesh fabric and aset of forming tools for forminglinks and adding them to the piece offabric on the support, consisting of a plate mounted on side of thepiece of fabric, an operating shaft thereon, a pair of die-supportingmembers, guideways on the plate wherein the die-supporting'members aremounted to permit of reciprocating them toward and away` from eachother, dies carried by said members, cams on the operating shaft forVeffecting the reciprocator7V movement of said members, one of said4members extendingY to the opposite side of the piece Vof fabric on thesupport, and securing devices on VtheV last named member permittingadjustment of the die carried by that member in two directions at right`angles to each other; substantiallyV as described.

14. The combination of a support for a piece of link mesh fabric, a pairof dies located on opposite sides of the piece of fabric, means formoving the dies Vtoward and away from each other to form linksand addthe links to the piece of fabric on the Support, means for preventing alink from being moved with either of the dies during the retractilemovement of the die, and means for eifecting relative movement ofthefabric bodily and the dies to present different portions of thefabric to the dies to receive links; substantially as described.

15. The combination of a support for a piece of link mesh fabric, alpair lof dies for forming links and adding themto the fabric on thesupport, means for reciprocating the dies towarlfand a from each other,a

1 l i- ,Y holdingV :instrumentl i preventing link from being moved by adie: during the retractile movementV of theV die, means for moving thepiece of fabricstep by step to present'diiierent points thereon to thedies toV receive links, cam Yfor moving the Seid,Y hofligns.,instalment, ilgcoreseohden within et t`oy retiK the instrument; ivhiletheY fabric is bein I ino ed and projecfvit'withinia newlly formelink-and hold it'at'that point Whi e the diesY are being retracted;substantially asdescribed. 'Y

16. In a machine for making link mesh, a support for the fabric, a pairof forming too`ls,"'means for moving the fabric and the forming toolsrelatively step by step, feeding rollers for a WireY tothe formingtolsfe; reci cheating 'dfor' actuating the feediny rollers, a cam foroperating themed, a cutteffor'theV'ivire, a reciprocating for actuatingthe cutter, a cam for actuating the last named reciprocating rodfand a"screw adjustably'mounted on the end of the last namedV rod to increaseor decrease its el'ective len th for adjusting the range of movement othe Vrod producedby its cam substantially as described. 'Y Y Y 17. In 'amachinefor making flinkv mesh, a eurem :for their im rafffgfemee tools,means" for movin'g' the'ii'a'bric "and the tools relatively, means for'A fc'e'edingYV Wire to the forming tools step by step, a knife forcuttngfthe Wire, areciprocating rod vcarrying the knife and having aslot therein, a stationary guide for the Wire extending through theslot, and means separateAV from the `means for moving the lforming toolsfor moving the reciprocating. rod Yrelatively to the forming tools;substantially as described: V Y V"18, In a machine for making linkmesh,` the combination of a support for :the fabric, alpa'ir of diesmounted on' opposite sides of the piece of fabric'on the support, Vmeansfor moving the dies toward and away from eachother, and sto Y devicesVmountedupon the dies in line wit and projecting toward eachother andadapted to engage to limit the movement of th des toward each other;Substantial-Hy as @es f a 19. The combinati of ia stationaryv)inandrel'for suppoiting a circular piece of mesh and having a spiralgroove in its surface, means for rotating the piece of mesh about themandrel, a pairrofA dies mounted opposite each other at' an :incline tothe axis of the mandrel and vone Within the cylindrical surface of themandrel, mean-s for 'g moving the dies toward and away from eachother,an 'anvil thepath of movement of 'one of the dies and movableont ofthat'path to Per-V mitA movementjof the die, and stops, rig1ly eprvlcyfistepmaivement ofthe iabrcf secured to the two dies and adapted to bebrought into engagement by the movement of the Vtwodies` toward'eachother to limit their movement; substantially as described. 20. In amachine'ifor making linkmesh, the combinatioof'asupport for a piece oflink,mesh,'a i aiof forming tools for form- Y ding them tothe mesh onthe upper nea si,V vfor moving the mesh on the poit and forming toolsrelatively ste Vby' LV present newVV points on the piece ofm'eshto Vtheforming tools for the addition of'links, a member which is reciprocatedaccordance with the step by step Vmovementfoit' the mesh toward andavvayiromtheedge of themesh at which linksiefbeiig added, a power-drivenmember," a clutch connecting the power-driven meljnberinV drivingrelatlon to the machine, 'fingglever for theclntch having a y y-tedin'gmember :rigidly 'secured telit, :af spring Yconnected. with thelaterallye'xtendin member and tending to move the same an 'the shippinglever 1n a direction to unship the clutch, 'a pivoted controllerengaging the laterally-extending member, a spring-pressed latchfnormallvengaging the controller, and automatic means lunder the control oftherange of movement of the reerbetn rremtber fel* 'Pesitively Withdra aan@flach 'from engagement with the emitroller when said reciprocatingmember fails to engage a link o'f the mesh; substanti ally asdescribed.'

21. In amach'ine ,for making link mesh, the combination ofV arsupportfor a piece of link mesh, a pairof'forming tools for forming links'and'addli them to the mesh on the support, mea'nsig r'moving the meshon thesupport and the forming tools relatively' step by step te'presentnew points on the piece of meshfto' the formin tools for the addition oflinks, a drive sha t-connected to operate the forming tools, a memberwhich is reciprocetedin accordance with the step by step Vmovement ofthe mesh toward and away from the edge2v of the mesh at which linksare'being added, a cam on the drive shaft, `a slide rbd engaged by thecam arranged 'toV positively :move the reciprocating membergi foneofsiich directions, a spring for eifectmgthe movement of thereciprocatigrig`A mem er'y in the otherffdjrection, and means' forldisconnecting theV drive shaft brought into action automatically by thefailure Vof, thereciprocating member to engage a'link of the mesh;substantially as deecribed. V

l 22. In amachine for making link mesh, the combinationof asnpport Yfora piece of link'mesh, a pairof forming tools for forming links and`addin them toT themesh on the support, means or moving the mesh ontlesupport and the forming tools relatively Siep by seep it@ present lYpeints Emi the piece of mesh t0Y the f 'tl'S addition f linkadnvoperte'the forming tools,

reciprocated in accordance Y iththe ste by step'imovementof tlievmeshMard an piece of 'iink mesh step, 3a 'pair-:ff

forming: ttools operating f the`Y pei'ieds ofgrestof the step byInovementto form links and add them' to'ishbmeshbnftlezsnpport, .amember movable in aooii'dancwith said step by step movement toward andavvay from the edge of the iece of mesh jatvhich links embellie diieiaserngPfrrebrlss said member toward the Vmesh, a. jgiovver shaft,mechanism o 4eratedV Yby he'jpovver shaft torn mechanicay4mi'nri'ngfthe:irgember away from the mesh,K a contact Y carried by themember, a Contact Airlg'iij:nzed'independently of the member andYenacting with sald contact, a singlefelectric Ycircuit including saidcontacts, ,andi electrically Vopeiat'ed devices vcontrolled by saidcircuit for discontinuingftheoperationpgif power shaft autmaticallywhensaid contactsfarecarried into engagement "by "movement of said 'memberactuatedby its springfvvien fthe member fails to engage alink ofthemesh; substantially as described. Y Y Y 24. The combination of astationary man-Y drel for supper-tinge circular piece 4of link mesh,means for moving the Ineshabout'the mandreistep by step, a pair offorming tools operated during -the periodsfofgrest ofthe step byV stepmovement toform linksfand meshV them Withfthe fabric the mandrel at the"lower edge thereof, a reciprocating member movable toward and away fromthe mesh at the lower edge of the ypiece of fabric on the mandrel'inaccordance with the step by step movement of the fabric, a spring 'forpositively'forcing thefre'ciprorating member toward the mesh', a pair'ofcontacts one of Ywhich moves with said member, a power-'driven device,means operated therebyV for mechanically Ymovindthe reciprotating`member away from tie y mesh, a clutch tnnectingthe' evier-driven deviceto the machine for opera ing; thelattlfa single electricV circuitpassing 'thronghi said contacts, and electrical devices controlled by iEatingA said circuit for opei'ating'saidelutch tol disconnect thepower-drlven device from the machine when said member, on bein actuatedby its spring, fails to engage a link of the mesh; substantially asdescribed.

25. The combination of a support for a piece of link mesh fabric,forming tools, means Vfer operating the forming tools, means for feedinga continuous length of Wire to therfornin tools, a block having a guidepassage fort 1e Wire and also having an opening alining axially With theguide passage, a spring-pressedStop'movable endwise insaid opening andagainstvvhich Ithe end of the wire is carried'by the Vfeeding means, acutter for severing the end portion of the wire, said stoexertlng'pressure upon the end portion of t e wire after it has beensevered to momentariiyYV Yhold it against movement, and means foreifectin relative bodily movement between the Vfa ric and the formingtools to present di'erent por- Ations of the fabric tothe tools toreceive links; substantially Vas described.

26. The combination cfa support for a piece of link mesh fabric, formingtools, operating means for the forming tools, means for feeding acontinuous length of Wire to the formin'gtools, a block having aguidepassagefo the Wire and also an opening spaced from but aliningaxially with the guide passage, one of the forming tools bein movable ina passage in the block whi communicates with the space between the endsof the opening and the Wire guide passage, Van anvil projecting intosaid space for coperation With the last named forming tool, aspring-pressed stop movable in said opening and against which the end ofthe Wire is carried Vby the feeding means, and a cutter for severmgtheend portion of the Wire, said stop exerting pressure upon thelend'pfortion of the Wire after it has been severed Vvto momentarilyhold it' against mpvenient; substantially as described. l

y 27.[n a machine for Ymaking link mesh, the combination ofY a supportYfonthe fabric, a'o'f Ycobperating dies mounted onoppositsrlsides'offthe Vpiecrzedoffabric on th support, means for movingthedies'toward and away fromV each other, and blades rigidly secured to theunder-sides ofthe dies in line with and projecting toward "each otherand adaptedv to engage atE .their con` fronting ends to Inuit? themovement of the dies'tov'a'rdfeach bther, one disposedY Within thesnrfaceof the fbiif'sllpport and"having` its blade extendingA `titbeneaththejedge ofthe fabric; substantially as described. ,A

28'.. In a machine for makin-g link mesh, the combination of a supportfoijz'the fabric, a, fpair: of coperating :formingY tools, recprcatingVrneifntiers carrying the forming tools, means for feeding Wire to theforming tools step by step, a knife for cutting the wire, areciprocating member carrying the knife and disposed parallel with thetool-carryingmembers the knife-car rying member aving a slot therein andbeing movable relatively tothe tool-carryin members, a stationary guidefor the Wire extending through the slot, and separate operating meansfor the tool-carrying members and the knife-carrying member;substantially as described.

29. In a machine for making link mesh, the combination of a support forthe fabric, a pair of cooperating forming tools, means for feeding Wireto the forming tools, a knife for Severin the end portion of the Wire, areciprocatin member carrying the knife Iand having a s ot therein, astationary guide for the Wire extending through the slot, and aVyielding stop against Whlch the wire is carried by the feeding means,said stop being adapted to exert pressure against the end portion of theWire after it has been severed to momentarily hold it against movement,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALPHONS() COMSTOCK PRATT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

